2 Jan. 46
his National Socialist views. It redounds
to his credit that in this important position he succeeded through
energetic leadership in maintaining the unity of the Austrian SS,
which he had built up in spite of all persecution, and succeeded in
committing it successfully at the right moment.
"After the Anschluss, in which the SS was a decisive factor, he
was appointed State Secretary for Security Matters on 11 March 1938 in
the new National Socialist Cabinet of Dr. Seyss-Inquart. A few hours
later he was able to report to the Reichsführer SS Heinrich
Himmler, who had landed at Aspern, the Vienna airport, on 12 March
1938, 3 a.m., as the first National Socialist leader, that the
movement had achieved complete victory and that" — the
article quotes Kaltenbrunner — "the SS is in formation
awaiting further orders.
"The Führer promoted Dr. Kaltenbrunner on the day of the
annexation to SS Brigadeführer and leader of the SS-Oberabschnitt
Donau. On 11 September 1938 this was followed by his promotion to SS
Gruppenführer."
The
Tribunal will recall evidence heretofore received; and I refer to Page
570 (Volume II, Page 417) of the English transcript of these
proceedings, of the telephone conversation between Göring and
Seyss-Inquart, in which Göring stated that Kaltenbrunner was to
have the Department of Security. I continue quoting the last paragraph
from this article:
"During the liquidation of the
Austrian National Government and the reorganization of Austria into
the Alps and Danube Districts, he was appointed Higher SS and Police
Leader with the Reich Governors in Vienna, Lower Danube and Upper
Danube in Corps Area 17, and in April 1941 he was promoted to
Lieutenant General of Police."
Kaltenbrunner thereby became the little Himmler of Austria.
According to Der Grossdeutsche Reichstag, fourth Wahlperiode,
1938, published by F. Kienast, at Page 261, our Document 2892-PS,
Kaltenbrunner joined the Nazi Party and the SS in Austria in 1932. He
was Party Member 300179 and SS Member 13039. Prior to 1933 he was the "Gauredner"
and legal adviser to SS Division 8. After 1933 he was the leader of SS
Regiment 37 and later the leader of SS Division 8. Kaltenbrunner was
given the highest Nazi Party decorations, the Golden Insignia of Honor
and the Blutorden. He was a member of the Reichstag after 1938.
I now offer Document 3427-PS as exhibit next in order, Exhibit Number
USA-512. This is also an article which appeared in Die Deutsche
Polizei, the magazine of the Security Police and SD, 12 February
1943, at Page 65; and I quote: